"As a responsible citizen I am doing the right thing and settling all the bills within the next 24 hours,"Dia Mirza tweeted.

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MUMBAI: Actor Dia Mirza is shocked with reports about non-payment for water dues by her. The actress tweeted, "baffled by reports regarding non-payment of water dues on my Hyderabad property! Getting to the bottom of it."

The actress clarified that non-payment of due to oversight. She tweeted, "the water connection was taken a long time ago by someone else on my name and I was not aware of the same. It would be relevant to state I was not aware of the water connection or the bills due. As a responsible citizen I am doing the right thing and settling all the bills within the next 24 hours."

She added, "I am a law abiding citizen and the amount is not such that there can ever be a doubt I would try and avoid payment. The whole issue is a result of oversight miscommunication and is unfortunate. Such an irony. I work with NGO to help create water resources for people bereft of water and water department attacks me in the media."

The Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (HMWS&SB) had slapped a 'Red Notice' on Dia Mirza, warning to attach her property for failure to pay dues worth Rs 2.26 lakh since 2008.

"The water board has sent demand notices several times to the actor's house to clear the dues. Despite several reminders, she failed to clear the dues. As a result, we disconnected her water connection in November 2012. As per the procedure, the consumer has to alert the water board to disconnect the water connection in case the house is vacant. However, she never alerted the water board," HMWS&SB manager, Jubilee Hills section, P J Srinarayana said.

The HMWS&SB would continue to issue bills to consumers till the consumer voluntarily seeks disconnection. On April 1, 2009, the opening balance was Rs 33,480. Due to non-payment of arrears, it accumulated with interest up to Rs 2.26 lakhs, he added.

The HMWS&SB staff had visited her house several times, but there was no response. "In fact, we had contacted Mirza over the phone thrice before sending the red notice, but her office in-charge (manager) said she is busy with shooting and will clear the dues as early as possible. So far, they have not paid the arrears," the official claimed.

As the watchman refused to accept the red (final) notice, the HMWS&SB staff pasted it on the door last month.